Agents Andrea Brown President andrea@andreabrownlit.com Representative Deals Andrea Brown is the President of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Inc. Founded in New York City in 1981, it was the first literary agency to represent both children's book authors and illustrators. Prior to opening her own firm, Andrea was an editor at Alfred A. Knopf, and worked in the editorial departments of Random House and Dell. In 1990, she moved her literary agency to Northern California. Her literary agency has sold over 2,000 books to just about every publisher, from toddler board books to serious, award-winning young adult. Andrea has published articles and published a chapter about the children's book field in THE PORTABLE WRITER'S CONFERENCE, published by Quill Driver Books. She has been quoted in the NEW YORK POST, CNN.com, Yahoo News, FORBES, GOOD HOUSEKEEPING and REUTERS NEWS SERVICE. President of the San Francisco chapter of the Women's National Book Association for four years, she was the National Pannell Award Chair that gives awards to booksellers at the Book Expo Association. She is also a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Andrea has had her own cable television show in New York City, "An Afternoon with Children's Books," and has appeared on C-SPAN'S "Book Notes", and public television's "Authors and Critics." She is the Executive Director of the Big Sur Writing Workshops, one for children's books and one for adult fiction. Andrea speaks at many writer's conferences including the Singapore Book Council, Maui Writers Conference, Asilomar, San Diego State University, UCLA, Stanford University, Palm Springs Writers Conference, Southwest Writers Conference, Pikes Peak Writers Conference, Pacific Northwest Writer's Conference, Texas Writer's League, The Society of Children's Book Writers conferences, and more. Some of Andrea's sales include bestselling titles such as MAMA DO YOU LOVE ME (Chronicle), THE BEANIE BABY HANDBOOK and TEACHER FROM THE BLACK LAGOON series (both with Scholastic), the BEVERLY HILLS 90210 series (HarperCollins), the SUNSET ISLAND series (Berkley), Olympic Silver medalist, Sasha Cohen's autobiography, FIRE ON ICE (HarperCollins), Neal Shusterman's DARK FUSION series (Dutton), EVERLOST and UNWIND (Simon & Schuster) and a forthcoming series with HarperCollins. Andrea is also the author of WRITERS' AND ARTISTS' HIDEOUTS: Great Getaways for Seducing the Muse, the only travel/writer's guide available. Laura Rennert Senior Agent Query email address: lauraqueries@gmail.com (ALL queries must be sent here or they will not wind up in Laura's Query box) General email address: ljrennert@mac.com Representative Deals Laura's author website Laura Rennert is a Senior Agent with Andrea Brown Literary Agency. She's been with the agency for ten years, and specializes in all categories of children's books, from picture books to young adult. She also specializes in literary fiction, crossover fiction (works that come out in the YA market and cross into the adult market, or vice versa), mysteries and thrillers, and narrative nonfiction. She represents award-winning and best selling authors, including New York Times bestsellers Ellen Hopkins, Catherine Ryan Hyde, and Jay Asher, and National Book Award Finalist Kathleen Duey, as well as brand new first-time authors. Some of her noteworthy deals include deals for over half a million dollars to both Random House and Simon & Schuster; six-figure YA deals to Razorbill/Penguin, Knopf, Feiwel & Friends, Margaret McElderry/S&S, Scholastic, and Harper; and a film deal to Nickelodeon/Paramount. The common thread in the diverse range of projects Laura takes on is a strong voice. She looks for stories that make you both feel and think, and is drawn to books that create a richly detailed, imaginative world. Her criteria for both fiction and nonfiction is a fresh voice; "round" as opposed to flat characters (to borrow E.M. Forster's term), and a compelling, well-conceived narrative arc. Although she considers herself a literary omnivore, right now she is particularly interested in middle-grade, young adult, and crossover books. In the MG/YA market, she's seeking contemporary fiction with real emotional power; urban fantasy; paranormal with a literary bent; gothic or neo-gothic novels (going back to her 19th Century Brit Lit roots); mysteries, suspense, and thrillers; and multi-cultural fiction. She likes characters with an insider-outsider perspective; books that explore different cultures or worlds the reader wouldn't normally have access to; books that make us see the ordinary in a new way; works that are ambitious in intellectual, emotional, or narrative terms; and books that make her laugh or cry. Across all categories, Laura's sweet spot is books with "literary voice and commercial conception." Some of her exemplary titles are THIRTEEN REASONS WHY (Razorbill/Penguin Group); SHIVER (Scholastic); CRANK (Margaret McElderry); MADAPPLE (Knopf); THE FIVE ANCESTORS series (Random House); IDENTICAL (Margaret McElderry/Simon & Schuster); REVOLUTION IS NOT A DINNER PARTY (Holt); EVOLUTION, ME, AND OTHER FREAKS OF NATURE (Knopf); BECOMING CHLOE (Knopf); GHOST MEDICINE (Feiwel & Friends/Holtzbrinck); LOVE IN THE PRESENT TENSE (Doubleday); LAMENT (Flux); IN THE PATH OF FALLING OBJECTS (Feiwel & Friends/Holtzbrinck); FAT CAT (Knopf); TRICKS (Margaret McElderry/S&S); and THE BODY FINDER (HarperCollins). Laura is the author of a picture book, BUYING, TRAINING, AND CARING FOR YOUR DINOSAUR (Fall 2009, Knopf) and of two highly illustrated books for young readers, EMMA, THE EXTRA-ORDINARY PRINCESS, forthcoming with Dutton. She speaks at writer's conferences throughout the country and overseas, including the Virginia Festival of the Book, San Diego State University Writers Conference, UCLA, San Francisco State University, Pikes Peak Writers Conference, Book Passage Children's Writing Conference, the San Francisco Writers Conference, the Big Sur Children's Writing Workshop and Fiction Workshop, the Backspace Writer's Conference, the Texas Writer's League, The Society of Children's Book Writers conferences including the annual conference in LA, the Central Coast Writers Conference, the Willamette Writers Conference, the Surrey International Writers Conference, SCBWI Tokyo, SCBWI Hong Kong, and more. She has a Ph.D. in English literature from the University of Virginia and has nine years of experience teaching as a faculty member in the English Departments of the University of Virginia, Osaka University of Foreign Studies, and Santa Clara University. Caryn Wiseman Agent caryn@andreabrownlit.com Representative Deals Caryn has been an Agent with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Inc. since early 2003, and has sold over 100 books. She handles children's books only: young adult and middle-grade fiction and non-fiction, chapter books, and picture books (fiction and non-fiction). She represents two New York Times bestselling authors, debut authors, and authors at every stage in between. Caryn holds an MBA from the Anderson School at UCLA, and a BS from the University of Virginia, and her fifteen years of business experience prior to joining the Agency emphasized editing and writing as well as sales, negotiation and client management. Caryn's particular interests include humorous middle-grade fiction for girls and for boys; YA that falls at the intersection of commercial and literary; YA that is edgy without being gratuitous; non-institutional biography and other unique nonfiction for children and teens; and African-American and Latino-themed literature in all children's and teen age groups. She would love to see more contemporary multicultural MG or YA fiction—books that deeply explore another culture, as well as books in which the ethnicity of the character is not the issue; contemporary MG or YA fiction with a touch of magical realism; sports fiction for girls and boys that has a hook other than the sport, for girls and boys; page-turning thrillers; and realistic fiction with an environmental theme. She is always open to terrific children's work that doesn't fit these categories, however. For fiction, a fresh, unique voice is paramount. A literary bent to a well-crafted commercial story in which ordinary characters find themselves in extraordinary situations would capture her attention. She loves nonfiction that reads like fiction; that has a great "story behind the story". She does not represent adult projects. Please do not query her regarding adult work. Caryn represents Nate Evans, co-author of the New York Times bestseller THE JELLYBEANS AND THE BIG DANCE (Abrams), and its forthcoming sequel. Nate's new chapter book series, BEAST FRIENDS FOREVER, is forthcoming from Sourcebooks/ Jabberwocky. She also represents Deborah Underwood, whose chapter book series with Whoopi Goldberg, THE SUGAR PLUM BALLERINAS (Disney*Hyperion), is also a New York Times bestseller. Deborah has several picture books forthcoming. Other award-winners include B&N 2008 Discover Pick BENEATH MY MOTHER'S FEET (McElderry) by Amjed Qamar, 2009 Golden Kite Nonfiction award winner LIFE IN THE WILD: GEORGE SCHALLER'S STRUGGLE TO SAVE THE GREAT BEASTS (FSG) by Pamela S. Turner, and 2009 IRA Children's and Young Adult Book Award—Primary Non-fiction winner MANFISH: A STORY OF JACQUES COUSTEAU by Jennifer Berne (Chronicle). Other recent and soon-to-be-released titles include MITZI'S WORLD (Abrams), STUPID CUPID (Simon Pulse), CLAIRE DE LUNE (Simon Pulse), A YEAR OF GOOD-BYES (Disney/Hyperion), RIDING INVISIBLE (Disney/Hyperion), the DANGER'S EDGE series (HarperCollins), the SUPER SLUGGERS chapter books series (HarperCollins), HIS BOY ELROY (Holt), I SEE THE RHYTHM OF GOSPEL (Zonderkidz), ORIGAMI YODA (Abrams) and POOP HAPPENED! (Walker). Caryn is a member of SCBWI and WNBA, and a frequent speaker at writer's conferences, including the Big Sur Writer's Workshop, La Jolla Writer's Conference, SDSU Writer's Conference, Central Coast Conference, and SCBWI conferences. Jennifer Rofé Agent jennifer@andreabrownlit.com Representative Deals Jennifer handles children's fiction projects with a special interest in middle grade and young adult. She's interested in all genres, from literary to fantasy, and is most drawn to fresh, distinct voices; stories that take place in unique worlds and alternate realities; and stories that simultaneously tug at her heartstrings and make her laugh out loud. She also enjoys unassuming heroes and characters who learn lessons the hard way. Jennifer is currently not accepting picture-book submissions. Some of the titles Jennifer represents include THE YEAR THE SWALLOWS CAME EARLY by Kathryn Fitzmaurice (HarperCollins); PARIS PAN TAKES THE DARE by Cynthea Liu (Penguin); HOW LAMAR'S BAD PRANK WON A BUBBA-SIZED TROPHY by Crystal Allen (HarperCollins); THE FARWALKER'S QUEST series by Joni Sensel (Bloomsbury); and THE DOWN TO EARTH GUIDE TO GLOBAL WARMING by Laurie David and Cambria Gordon (Scholastic). Jennifer earned a BA in English with a minor in Social and Ethnic Relations from UC Davis and has a background in secondary education. Jennifer has been on faculty for several conferences, including the Big Sur Writer's Workshop and SCBWI conferences. Kelly Sonnack Agent kelly@andreabrownlit.com Representative Deals Kelly Sonnack came to the Andrea Brown Literary Agency after nearly three years with the Sandra Dijkstra Agency. Prior to that, Kelly worked for the publishing giant Reed Elsevier, where she served as an Acquisitions Editor under the Academic Press imprint. As an agent, Kelly specializes in all types of children's literature (picture books, middle grade, young adult, and graphic novels). In picture books and middle grade fiction, Kelly looks for a good sense of humor, stories that stretch a young reader's imagination, and an authentic voice. In young adult, she appreciates literary voices and and character-driven stories with heart but is also drawn to dystopian, light science-fiction, and other well-crafted fantasy. In non-fiction for children, she enjoys projects that inspire and stimulate the minds of our younger generations. At this time, Kelly is not accepting submissions of adult fiction or adult non-fiction. Some of the titles Kelly has represented include Steve Watkins' 2008 Golden Kite Winner DOWN SAND MOUNTAIN and his next novel WHAT COMES AFTER (both with Candlewick); Neil Johnson & Joel Chin's THE FALLING RAINDROP (Tricycle Press); Candace Ryan's picture books ANIMAL HOUSE and RIBBIT RABBIT (both with Walker); Heather Leigh's HEY LITTLE BABY (S&S/Beach Lane Books); Carolyn Marsden's STARFIELDS (Candlewick); and James Burks' graphic novel GABBY AND GATOR (Hachette/Yen Press). Kelly is a frequent speaker at conferences, including the San Diego State Writer's Conference and SCBWI's national and chapter conferences. Jennifer Laughran Agent jennL@andreabrownlit.com Representative Deals Jennifer began her career in agenting after working as a long-time children's bookseller and buyer. She is also the founder of the extremely popular YA event series "Not Your Mother's Book Club". She joined Andrea Brown Literary Agency in 2007. Always on the lookout for sparkling YA and middle grade fiction with unusual and unforgettable characters and vivid settings, she is drawn to all kinds of books, whether realistic comedies or richly imagined magical adventures. However, the common thread in her favorite stories is an offbeat world-view. Jennifer adores simplicity, but she is not interested in the conventional, predictable, mechanical, gimmicky or ordinary. Jennifer loves funny books, thrilling books, romantic books, books that make her cry, and all-around un-put-downable books... and her true favorites are all of the above. Clients include: National Public Radio's own "children's book ambassador" and the author of over 100 books for young readers, Daniel Pinkwater, whose latest novel is ADVENTURES OF A CAT-WHISKERED GIRL (Houghton). His wife, the talented artist Jill Pinkwater, who did the vibrant illustrations for their book BEAUTIFUL YETTA (THE YIDDISH CHICKEN) (Feiwel & Friends). Author/illustrator Calef Brown, whose whimsical drawings and poems have garnered him praise and the number one spot on the New York Times bestseller list. Illustrator and graphic novelist Matt Faulkner, who draws picture books for authors such as Laurie Halse Anderson and Judith St. George, as well as his own books and graphic novels. Series author Linda Joy Singleton whose popular YA paranormals include THE SEER series and the DEAD GIRL series, both from Flux. Jackie Dolamore, whose wonderful debut MAGIC UNDER GLASS (Bloomsbury) has been described as "Libba Bray meets Charlotte Bronte". Edgy debut YA novelists L.K. Madigan (FLASH BURNOUT, Houghton) and Tara Kelly (HARMONIC FEEDBACK, Holt). Kate Messner, who made a splash in 2009 with her warm and wonderful family story BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z (Walker)... these are to name just a few. Jennifer attends several conferences each year. Past conferences include Willamette, Writer's League of Texas, NE-SCBWI, Book Passage Children's Writers Workshop, and Big Sur Children's Writer's Workshop. She spends most of her free time... well, reading, what else?! Jamie Weiss Chilton Agent jamie@andreabrownlit.com Representative Deals Jamie Weiss Chilton represents children's books exclusively: teen novels, middle grade fiction, chapter books, graphic novels, picture books and narrative nonfiction. Her specific interests include contemporary literary fiction with intense emotional content (character-driven, not issue-driven plots); smart thrillers and mysteries; science fiction; surreal stories and magical realism; sweet, funny, quirky picture books. Jamie's career in children's books began in 1998, with an editorial internship at Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, followed by positions as an Editorial Assistant and Assistant Editor at Bantam Delacorte Dell, Wendy Lamb Books, and Knopf & Crown Books for Young Readers, all divisions of Random House Children's Books. After returning to her hometown of Los Angeles, Jamie pursued her love of children's books in a new arena, as Conference Manager and Golden Kite Award Director at the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) before joining the Andrea Brown Agency in 2008. Her recent sales include ORCHARDS, a YA novel in verse by Holly Thompson (Delacorte); FALL INTO ME, a debut YA by Jennifer Castle (Harper Collins); BAD FOR YOU, a graphic novel by co-creators Kevin C. Pyle and Scott Cunningham (Holt); JAMMY DANCE, a picture book by Rebecca Janni, to be illustrated by Tracy Dockray (FSG); and Tracey E. Fern's nonfiction picture book BARNUM'S BONES to be illustrated by Boris Kulikov (FSG). Jennifer Mattson Associate Agent jmatt@andreabrownlit.com Representative Deals Jennifer comes to Andrea Brown Literary Agency after nearly five years of reviewing children's literature as part of the Books for Youth staff of Booklist magazine. That adds up to close readings of around 1,000 books, lending Jennifer a wide-angle view of the tastes of individual houses. Prior to Booklist, Jennifer was an Associate Editor at Dutton Children's Books, where she acquired and edited titles that included CHICO, by retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor; and THE HEROIC ADVENTURES OF HERCULES AMSTERDAM, by Melissa Glenn Haber. (She also enjoyed an amusing turn on the other side of the desk as a coauthor of THE OFFICIAL EASY-BAKE COOKBOOK). Jennifer loves picture books that are story time-ready stories (no one-joke tales or mood pieces) that resonate with universal childhood experiences and concerns. Fables and folktales aren't for her. For the older set, she is drawn to richly imagined fantasies that depart from old-hat heroic quests (alternate realities, magical realism, and steam-punk are all styles/premises to have recently caught her notice). She has a special interest in dystopian fiction for middle graders and in sprawling, atmospheric tales with Dickensian twists and satisfying puzzles. But as much as high-concept novels pique her interest, the most mind-blowing premise can't hide a flat narrative that rarely reaches for unexpected descriptions, fully fleshed characterizations, or a zinging narrative voice. Recent sales include Tom Leveen's debut contemporary YA, entitled PARTY (Random House); BOBO GOES TO SCHOOL, a picture book written and illustrated by Gail Page (Bloomsbury); and TEN ON THE SLED, a picture book written by Kim Norman (Sterling). A native of California now based in Chicago, Jennifer has a degree in English from Amherst College. Mary Kole Associate Agent mary@andreabrownlit.com Representative Deals Mary came to children's literature from a writer's perspective andstarted reading at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency to see what it was like "on the other side of the desk." She quickly found her passion here and, after a year of working behind the scenes, officially joined the agency in August, 2009. In her quest to learn all sides of publishing, she has also worked in the children's editorial department at Chronicle Books and earned her MFA in Creative Writing at the University of San Francisco. Mary's passion is editorial work. With all of her clients, she uses her well-honed editorial eye to develop each project to its full potential. She especially enjoys traveling to conferences and SCBWI events to meet writers and actively build her list. Mary lives in Brooklyn and operates the East Coast office of the agency. At this time, Mary is only considering young adult and middle grade novels and truly exceptional, funny, quirky and character-driven picture books (she especially loves working with author illustrators). She's seeking fresh, unique voices and idiosyncratic characters who, by book's end, are more friend than fiction. Her favorite stories are upmarket, high-concept, character-driven and well-plotted...featuring a mix of fast pacing, emotional resonance, and beautiful writing. In essence: literary spark with commercial appeal. While she's not interested in high fantasy (think Tolkien), she would love to consider realistic/contemporary, character-driven fantasy (think GRACELING), urban fantasy, action/adventure, light science fiction, absolutely unique paranormal (no vampires or werewolves or Greek mythology), and humor manuscripts. She is especially looking for horror, ghost, mystery, thriller and dystopian tales. One of her favorite genres is magical realism: a story set firmly in our world, only with a twist—something that turns "reality" on its ear—to make things more interesting. Favorite themes include: family, home, unlikely heroes, discovering one's voice, and finding one's equilibrium after a big life event. Mary adores manuscripts that make her laugh, make her tear up or punch her in the gut. She also loves stories of friendship, romance, betrayal, full of those "first time" moments that make teenage life electric and unforgettable. For all manuscripts, voice is absolutely essential and character development is key. A high-concept or upmarket commercial premise is also important in today's market. Make sure your manuscript is as strong and polished (revised, revised after feedback, revised again) as possible. She looks forward to reading your work!